When done correctly, handwashing is an important personal hygiene practice to prevent contracting
and spreading communicable diseases.

When should we wash our hands?

• before touching our eyes, nose or mouth.
• before eating or handling food.
• after using the toilet.
• when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing or coughing.
• after touching public installations or equipment, such as door knobs, escalator handrails or elevator control panels.
• after changing diapers or handling soiled articles when looking after young children or sick.

What to do for good handwashing?

• wet hands under running water.
• apply liquid soap and rub hands together to make a soap lather.
• away from the running water, rub the palms, backs of hands, between fingers, backs of fingers, thumbs, finger tips and wrists. Do this for at least 20 seconds.
• rise hands thoroughly under running water.
• dry hands thoroughly with either a clean cotton towel, a paper towel, or a hand dryer.
• the cleaned hands should not touch the water tap directly again (the tap may be turned off by using the towel wrapping the faucet; or after splashing water to clean the faucet.

Please note:

• towels should never be shared.
• used paper towel should be properly disposed of.
• personal towels to be reused must be stored properly and washed at least once daily. It is even better to have more than one towel for frequent replacement.
• rub hands with a 65% - 95% alcohol solution to disinfect the hands when hand washing facilities are not available.